Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership

We each experience the world from our own cultural perspectives, values, and norms. Yet most of the time, our own cultural perspective is hidden from us. We assume that our norm is everyone else’s norm as well. We assume that our perspective is the “right” and superior one. Unfortunately, this type of assumption creates misunderstanding and conflict. It can cause us to miss important cues from people we live and work with in community. It prevents us from appreciating each other’s wholeness.

This is a 2-part series. Participants are expected to be present at both sessions.

Cultural Humility and Cross-Cultural Communication: The Building Blocks of Racial Equity

This two-part cultural humility workshop will help you to uncover your own and others’ cultural perspectives, norms and communication styles. It will challenge you to understand and address your privilege and enter relationships in a more humble and equitable way. This new awareness will build bridges of understanding that will enable you to interact with and respond more thoughtfully, effectively, and collaboratively with a diverse range of people, which is critical in creating coalitions and movements with cultures that are welcoming and inclusive of diversity.

Part 1, Sunday, April 18, 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM

The objectives of the class will be:

• Examine the cultural lens through which you perceive and understand people and events, and challenge assumptions and stereotypes you have about those from different cultures;
• Recognize, understand, and respect a variety of cultural norms, values, and communication styles, including your own;
• Understand how white privilege and cultural superiority serve as barriers to effective multi-racial movement building;
• Learn how to better communicate and build bridges of understanding across cultures;
• Begin to discuss ways to create cultures within organizations, coalitions, and movements that welcome, respect, value, include, and collaborate effectively with people from diverse cultures.

Part 2, Sunday, May 2, 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM

Part 2 will focus on methods for actively utilizing the process of cultural humility to create more inclusive and equitable practices and systems within organizations, coalitions, and movements. These practices will help to redress power imbalances and promote institutional accountability around issues of equity and access. If you have participated in the first session and are asking yourself the question, “Now what?” this workshop will focus on applying the knowledge you acquired in the first session to guide action and create important social change in your spheres of influence.